For most people, Food is a huge part of Christmas. Whether it is the stress of feeding the 5,000 or the memories brought on by the smell of mulled wine or simply what you culturally expect from the season, food is well to put it mildly crucial.
Now most people seem comfortable with the concept of the basic British Christmas food - turkey, roast potatoes, gravy, sprouts and setting fire to fruit pudding (done incidentally to commemorate Christs passion) but what does everyone else eat?
As a Saffa-Brit Hybrid (much nicer concept than a mongrel), we've adapted the traditional approach. Firstly, we eat at 3:30 - 4:00 as it is simply too hot to enjoy a bit of a binge (and that is what Christmas is) too early. Mom also cooks the turkey, gammon and pork the day before - not only does it mean she isn't stressed on Christmas day but also that the meat is cold and if anything goes wrong, emergency fixes can be applied.
Salads, roast potatoes, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, chipolatas and my grandmothers stuffing - cover the table and the eldest member of the family says a prayer to celebrate the fact the family is gathering. Dessert is often Christmas pudding with ice cream but also pavlova and fruit. No-one is forced to eat anything but everyone is encouraged to enjoy their favourites. Wine flows and the sounds of children splashing in and out of the pool between plates is expected.
A nice melding of traditions which I hope one day to pass on to my own family.
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Potty about Pots
To me, an essential part of being a foodie is having a well stocked kitchen. Not just the random oils and unidentifiable bottles of something picked-up in my local Turkish store while just a little ratted but proper kitchen implements.
I love my:
– Wooden spoons – all slightly burnt but truly special. I realise that some recipes are not supposed to be stirred with wooden spoons but these tend to fail on my any how so back away from the spoons.
– Big mixing bowl – I don’t bake as many cakes as I would love to but there is something strangely comforting about a proper honest-to-go mother-had-one mixing bowl.
– Skillet – I bought mine in Spain
– Big pot – Ooo, nothing as good as a proper stew pot. I bought mine from a local Indians store and it is a joy. Even has a little hole in the list to let out a little steam and the smell.
Far too excited about certain kitchen wear but I suppose such is the lot of a foodie
L x
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Aloo Gobi
I love good indian food - not the korma's of this world but the lovely veggie dishes that I am pretty sure would look as natural in the Punjab as they do in E17. At my event on Thursday night, I had a couple of drinks, bit of boogying and then fell over.
Normally can deal with a scrape or a swollen knee but have buggered ankle so not much moving on Friday or Saturday. So - and honestly this will eventually be relevant - I had to choose a take-away and chose Indian. Samoosa (little oily be nice), peshwari naan (nice but not great) and Aloo gobi. Now that was beautiful.
Aloo Gobi is potato (aloo) and cauliflower (gobi) cooked with tumeric, curry leaves, garlic, ginger, onion and Kalonji (Nigella sativa). Really lovely and savoury! We don't get much Indian food in South Africa and the veggie dishes are my favorite.
Another thing to add to the bucket list - really do need to learn how to make this.
L x
Normally can deal with a scrape or a swollen knee but have buggered ankle so not much moving on Friday or Saturday. So - and honestly this will eventually be relevant - I had to choose a take-away and chose Indian. Samoosa (little oily be nice), peshwari naan (nice but not great) and Aloo gobi. Now that was beautiful.
Aloo Gobi is potato (aloo) and cauliflower (gobi) cooked with tumeric, curry leaves, garlic, ginger, onion and Kalonji (Nigella sativa). Really lovely and savoury! We don't get much Indian food in South Africa and the veggie dishes are my favorite.
Another thing to add to the bucket list - really do need to learn how to make this.
L x
Friday, 16 December 2011
Quality Meat
I generally sign up to stacks of newsletter - I'm curious and read fast! Obviously, some of these are to do with food and I receive the regular newsletter from Donald Russell. They deliver quality food across the UK but I am mainly interested in their meat (she says without a smutty wink).
Their meat looks beautiful and got me to thinking about how much we are prepared to spend on food. With the state of the economy, most of us are looking to "down-size" our shopping, if we can find someone who sells a roast chicken for half the price of the one in Sainsburys then we all trundle off to buy one. But honestly, should we be economising on an aspect of our food which involves the death of a sentient creature?
Not sure about that - in fact, I think that perhaps we need to learn to eat less meat and eat less popular meat. Stew is not a dirty word and neither is curry but you can use far less expensive cuts. Just a thought - perhaps a new years resolution.
L xx
Their meat looks beautiful and got me to thinking about how much we are prepared to spend on food. With the state of the economy, most of us are looking to "down-size" our shopping, if we can find someone who sells a roast chicken for half the price of the one in Sainsburys then we all trundle off to buy one. But honestly, should we be economising on an aspect of our food which involves the death of a sentient creature?
Not sure about that - in fact, I think that perhaps we need to learn to eat less meat and eat less popular meat. Stew is not a dirty word and neither is curry but you can use far less expensive cuts. Just a thought - perhaps a new years resolution.
L xx
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Save me from Canapes
Tonight was the last official night of my working year - a big anniversary event for a client! So pleased that it is now all over but it did get me thinking about the best canapes.
Essentially at these events, we all have a drink and we need something to soak up the alcohol. Yes, I know it is business but it is December and everyone is winding down so we are (if we drink) going to have a few drinks, maybe even a couple. So what are the best canapes?
Well firstly,
L x
Essentially at these events, we all have a drink and we need something to soak up the alcohol. Yes, I know it is business but it is December and everyone is winding down so we are (if we drink) going to have a few drinks, maybe even a couple. So what are the best canapes?
Well firstly,
- They need to be eaten with one hand while holding a glass! This might mean, they need to be a one bite wonder or easy to hold.
- Nothing squidgy or squirty - yes, I know we don't want anything too dry (as you can't talk) but you also don't want to be scraping white sauce off your dress (which incidentally I left in a hotel room on Friday morning but TMI lol)
- Nothing you can't identify - or rather, nothing most average people can't. If people don't know what they are, then they are not going to eat them and you are going to be faced with scared and slightly annoyed servicing people endlessly circling the room.
- Nothing most people are allergic too - no nuts and not disguised shellfish (nothing ruins an evening more than anaphylatic shock)
- Mixture of substantial and bird food - not everyone drinks and for that matter, not everyone eats so cater for everyone.
- Spring rolls or samosas- very easy to eat and if done well (and that to me, includes duck) are glorious - lovely crispy and filling!
- Mini quiches - I hear you groan but a good mini quiche (not one of the budget supermarkets) with flaky pastry and a lovely filing - is the ideal one bite wonder
- Something on a stick - Nothing common (lol) but roast beef and horseradish or fig and proscuitto or even sausages in a mustard glaze. Not trendy but so good.
- Salmon - everyone knows what is its and loves it, quiches (not obsessed at all) or even Blinis
- Something based on potatoes - lord if it has to be wedges (of a modest size) no problem but rostis or gnocchi. Lord, anything which soaks up the booze and tastes good.
L x
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Anchovies
These glorious little fishes are like marmite - you either love them or you hate them. I personally (and some what predictably) love them - lovely little fishy salty bites and so very good in recipes. I did a bit of research and they are apparently a small forging fish - caught in lots of oceans which are salted slightly differently by different nations.
The Italians do fresh anchovies as do the Spanish - these are in oil but far less salty. In Spain, they are called boquerones and they are cured in vinegar and bottled in oil. You can buy them in most supermarkets and they make a lovely addition to a tapas meal.
In Finland, they have 'anchovy-spice' fish including herring and while I have yet to taste this, it is defiantly on my bucket list. However, then my favourite is to cook courgettes until al dente and then fry anchovies a little until they melt in olive oil and then add the courgettes to finish. Salty slightly sweet, just gorgeous. That is one of the best properties about anchovies that they melt in oil when warmed.
Also really quite good on pizza - pineapple, anchovies and ham! Strange but really quite lovely - I'm not going to argue but then again, I am South African and we eat bacon, banana and avo.
L x
The Italians do fresh anchovies as do the Spanish - these are in oil but far less salty. In Spain, they are called boquerones and they are cured in vinegar and bottled in oil. You can buy them in most supermarkets and they make a lovely addition to a tapas meal.
In Finland, they have 'anchovy-spice' fish including herring and while I have yet to taste this, it is defiantly on my bucket list. However, then my favourite is to cook courgettes until al dente and then fry anchovies a little until they melt in olive oil and then add the courgettes to finish. Salty slightly sweet, just gorgeous. That is one of the best properties about anchovies that they melt in oil when warmed.
Also really quite good on pizza - pineapple, anchovies and ham! Strange but really quite lovely - I'm not going to argue but then again, I am South African and we eat bacon, banana and avo.
L x
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Not Religious but Spiritual
I am not religious but I am spiritual! Not a statement that necessarily has a place on a foodie blog but something I've had on my mind. It is Christmas and the carols play as children eagerly look forward to opening presents. Not celebrating the birth of christ but consumerism.
Is this right? How do you explain Christmas to children? The premise that someone has died for your sins and that in order to go to heaven you need to follow a set of rules that are relevant but not based in the modern world. Not something I would like to tackle.
Perhaps it is just a matter of teaching people to be kind to each other and then building on that premise? Love thy neighbour - a child can understand. Help thy neighbour - a child can understand. Opening presents is instant joy but giving children an understanding of what it means to help - to paraphrase the advert - priceless.
Just a few thoughts from a cynical foodie
L x
Is this right? How do you explain Christmas to children? The premise that someone has died for your sins and that in order to go to heaven you need to follow a set of rules that are relevant but not based in the modern world. Not something I would like to tackle.
Perhaps it is just a matter of teaching people to be kind to each other and then building on that premise? Love thy neighbour - a child can understand. Help thy neighbour - a child can understand. Opening presents is instant joy but giving children an understanding of what it means to help - to paraphrase the advert - priceless.
Just a few thoughts from a cynical foodie
L x
Monday, 12 December 2011
Back to Basics Bubbly
As you know, I'm a PR girl and we are synonymous - obviously - with bubbly. In fact, I am pretty convinced that most of my friends outside the industry assume I drink it with breakfast, lunch and late into the night. Two out of three occasionally but very rarely ; )
So, I know what the good shit is - as they say in the hood. Firstly, it is up to your individual taste buds so don't be fooled by the price tags. Cristal can retail from £138 per bottle but I personally don't like it - little dry for me.
Don't be fooled by the label, learn by taste. Now not everyone quite obviously (me included) can afford to spend buckets on champagne but I try the mid-range bottles (£30 - £40) and then determine what I like. Or, visit a couple of wine shows - these are really good opportunities to build up a picture of what you like.
Being a women, I also don't hesitate to ask if I taste something I like. Most people will tell you - unless they are serving some thing very cheap in which they often look shifty and forget the name! Incidentally, Lidl does a blinding sparkling wine for under a fiver which makes great cocktails.
Experiment as often as your wallet allows. From the blog, you can tell that I regularly try different foods and champagne is not different. Unless of course you have already found 'the one' but as bubbly is not marriage, you are allowed to cheat!
Sparkling vs. champagne - what is the different? Well, one is French and one isn't! There is very little difference - except perhaps for the price tag. So don't be afraid to cheat outside the champagne camp.
Any brands I can recommend? Personally, I like Veuve Clicquot more than Moet or Bolly but that is my choice so you now need to make yours.
L x
So, I know what the good shit is - as they say in the hood. Firstly, it is up to your individual taste buds so don't be fooled by the price tags. Cristal can retail from £138 per bottle but I personally don't like it - little dry for me.
Don't be fooled by the label, learn by taste. Now not everyone quite obviously (me included) can afford to spend buckets on champagne but I try the mid-range bottles (£30 - £40) and then determine what I like. Or, visit a couple of wine shows - these are really good opportunities to build up a picture of what you like.
Being a women, I also don't hesitate to ask if I taste something I like. Most people will tell you - unless they are serving some thing very cheap in which they often look shifty and forget the name! Incidentally, Lidl does a blinding sparkling wine for under a fiver which makes great cocktails.
Experiment as often as your wallet allows. From the blog, you can tell that I regularly try different foods and champagne is not different. Unless of course you have already found 'the one' but as bubbly is not marriage, you are allowed to cheat!
Sparkling vs. champagne - what is the different? Well, one is French and one isn't! There is very little difference - except perhaps for the price tag. So don't be afraid to cheat outside the champagne camp.
Any brands I can recommend? Personally, I like Veuve Clicquot more than Moet or Bolly but that is my choice so you now need to make yours.
L x
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Flavoured Popcorn
Popcorn is so lovely! I have an air popper but it doesn't use oil so while it is healthier, the salt doesn't stick and it is a little like eating Styrofoam! Pop in the bag is good too but one bag of Act II can have 300 calories in - which again isn't good either.
Now traditional pop in the pan is where it is at! Especially, if you use my trick which is to used flavoured oil. Yes, oil has calories but as it is flavoured, I don't use as much salt so it is slightly healthier. Today I used Chili Rape Seed oil - which incidentally, I did drop on the cat which did not go down well at all. The oil wasn't hot but the cat wasn't pleased and has been eyeing my shoes speculatively.
I'm not obsessed and as my motto goes "a little of what you want" is all well and good but I do try to choose the healthy version if I can. So, flavoured pop corn is where is its at for me.
L x
Now traditional pop in the pan is where it is at! Especially, if you use my trick which is to used flavoured oil. Yes, oil has calories but as it is flavoured, I don't use as much salt so it is slightly healthier. Today I used Chili Rape Seed oil - which incidentally, I did drop on the cat which did not go down well at all. The oil wasn't hot but the cat wasn't pleased and has been eyeing my shoes speculatively.
I'm not obsessed and as my motto goes "a little of what you want" is all well and good but I do try to choose the healthy version if I can. So, flavoured pop corn is where is its at for me.
L x
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Come Dine with Me!
Okay, everyone has a guilty pleasure! With food, it might be dirty chicken after a night out or eating peanut butter out of a jar with a spoon but everyone has a dirty secret.
Mine which is food related but thankfully not fattening is watching - Come Dine With Me! For those of you who have not seen it, up to five people spend five nights cooking dinner for each other - with a prize of £1,000 at stake. They each get £120 (it is rumoured) to spend on the meal and have to vote for each persons evening.
Before they meet, they don't know each other and we all know that the producers try to spice it up so there are always a couple of weirdos - or rather as we like to call them in England - eccentric.
Sounds really simple but wow! We all get to see peoples homes, peoples really bad food, arguments, flirting and - how sad is this - you learn new tips in the kitchen! Nothing revolutionary but how to present your food and how to do little things such as how to cut string beans easily.
Nothing is as good as this - part soap opera, part soup opera! If you can watch it, don't hesitate
L xx
Mine which is food related but thankfully not fattening is watching - Come Dine With Me! For those of you who have not seen it, up to five people spend five nights cooking dinner for each other - with a prize of £1,000 at stake. They each get £120 (it is rumoured) to spend on the meal and have to vote for each persons evening.
Before they meet, they don't know each other and we all know that the producers try to spice it up so there are always a couple of weirdos - or rather as we like to call them in England - eccentric.
Sounds really simple but wow! We all get to see peoples homes, peoples really bad food, arguments, flirting and - how sad is this - you learn new tips in the kitchen! Nothing revolutionary but how to present your food and how to do little things such as how to cut string beans easily.
Nothing is as good as this - part soap opera, part soup opera! If you can watch it, don't hesitate
L xx
Friday, 9 December 2011
Mmmm, Peppadews!
I’m not sure if you’ve tried them but they are a South African vegetable! Little bell peppers - sweet but piquant with a just picked crunchy and glorious in salads. I first ate them at home and can find them in most of the shops in London
They have even branched out into cheese which despite - as regular readers will know – the fact I like, doesn’t necessarily like me. Worth a taste even if I know I will feel ill!
Still frustrates me as my favourite comfort food is cheese on toast as my mom used to make it for me as a treat …….. For those of you with less dodgy innards, you can add Peppadews to the cheese on toast and it is heavenly.
Perused their website, I find they have a blog with lots of recipes on. Some cheese based (sob sob) but there is also pasta salad and rosti potatoes. Yum
L xx
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Curry Fast Curry - Japanese Style
Chicken Katsu Curry
Okay, tis the season to eat lovely things! Our Christmas party is tonight – the Savoy no less – so I treated myself to chicken Katsu Curry at Wasabi at lunch so I can have a couple of drinks! Really like the concept of Wasabi – cheap-ish, cheerful and fast Japanese but I think I am getting picker!
Yes, while the curry was good – really really yummy chip shop style sauce! The rice was sticky and gloopy. I have a nasty feeling that this is how the Japanese do it but I always thought that it was just sushi rice that was supposed to be wet and claggy.
Mmm, perhaps I am getting picky in my old age.
L x
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Take a deep breath
I only subscribe to one magazine at the moment - Psychologies! It is utterly brilliant and provides me with food for thought rather than simply telling me my arse is too big and if only, I ate nuts for a week as 'random interchangeable actress' did then I would be thin and successful.
It contains useful articles as well as a section on health, beauty and food. One of the articles which struck me most was written by David Servan-Schreiber (who incidentally passed on last year having fought cancer for 20 years).
He wrote that practising slow breathing can help you lose weight and balance your life. Essentially, start by taking a few three-minute breathing breaks a day when you slow your breathing to around six deep breaths a minute (easy to measure on a kitchen timer).
After a few weeks, during one of these periods, focus on a painful memory from your day to day life that had triggered negative feelings. Apparently by doing this, you can help to negate the memory by cleansing it and calming your mind around it.
This helps with weight-loss as you are able to deal with negative emotions in different way to comfort eating. Makes sense and at the very least, having a couple of quiet moments of contemplation each day can't be bad.
L x
Follow me on twitter @alittleofwhatyou
It contains useful articles as well as a section on health, beauty and food. One of the articles which struck me most was written by David Servan-Schreiber (who incidentally passed on last year having fought cancer for 20 years).
He wrote that practising slow breathing can help you lose weight and balance your life. Essentially, start by taking a few three-minute breathing breaks a day when you slow your breathing to around six deep breaths a minute (easy to measure on a kitchen timer).
After a few weeks, during one of these periods, focus on a painful memory from your day to day life that had triggered negative feelings. Apparently by doing this, you can help to negate the memory by cleansing it and calming your mind around it.
This helps with weight-loss as you are able to deal with negative emotions in different way to comfort eating. Makes sense and at the very least, having a couple of quiet moments of contemplation each day can't be bad.
L x
Follow me on twitter @alittleofwhatyou
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Brilliant Sauce
I raided the fridge tonight as I wasn't really sure what I wanted to eat. So, wandered to my lovely corner store - really sweet Indian man - and bought wine and mushrooms. With a little garlic, rosemary and chicken thigh pieces I made a lovely meal. Roasted the chicken separately then cooked a sauce to go with it.
Did add a little flour at the end to thicken the sauce which I should really have sieved but not bad at all really! Didn't eat all of it and I will end up having something for breakfast. Feeling a bit tipsy as I drank the remainder of the bottle but need to get up tomorrow early as have stax to do so must plan this in.
L xx
Did add a little flour at the end to thicken the sauce which I should really have sieved but not bad at all really! Didn't eat all of it and I will end up having something for breakfast. Feeling a bit tipsy as I drank the remainder of the bottle but need to get up tomorrow early as have stax to do so must plan this in.
L xx
Friday, 2 December 2011
Mozzarisella
Okay muchos naff name but it really tastes pretty good. Apparently this product from www.foodresource.com is gluten free, lactose free and made from rice. Lots of fibre too - mmm, really wish that some of the health food stores would stock this as ultimately, it would save some lives.
No fat for us and fewer animals die as whether we want to admit it or not, milk is only produced for baby cows. So cows need to have given birth and as we don't need that many animals, we get veal. I don't mind eating UK veal as ultimately, it isn't a demand but eating the bye product.
However, I would prefer not to. Good product - must find it outside the good food show
L xx
No fat for us and fewer animals die as whether we want to admit it or not, milk is only produced for baby cows. So cows need to have given birth and as we don't need that many animals, we get veal. I don't mind eating UK veal as ultimately, it isn't a demand but eating the bye product.
However, I would prefer not to. Good product - must find it outside the good food show
L xx
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Mmmm, Good food
Well. the week was busy and I'm tired! I now think I have a new boyfriend - older than me and in the same industry - with one catch. I have a nasty feeling he has a partner .......... I asked him if he was married and he said no .... but then again, I didn't ask him if he has a partner ... A lie of omission or a deliberate pre-meditated lie. One he doesn't think he will caught on?
Aaargh, so frustrated. Why do I distrust him if he has told me the truth? Well, last year we were at an event together and a colleague of his said 'watch out for him, he is married.' I am pretty sure he isn't married but I do think that he has a long-term girlfriend.
I also got a friend in the industry to check - he said he thinks he does but as usual had to ask in a roundabout way so I can't say for certain. Also, this is the contact who said he knew if we ever had sex it would be brilliant but as we are both with people it won't be possible. Well, eer, glad he let me know then. lol
I could scream as he is fascinating and I adore spending time with him.
Perhaps I just don't want to trust? My best friend asked me if I was ready to realise my worth and trust someone. I think I am but baby steps. I will choose to trust him but if it doesn't work out then it was a choice and I chose to be brave not scared.
Love and Light
L xx
Aaargh, so frustrated. Why do I distrust him if he has told me the truth? Well, last year we were at an event together and a colleague of his said 'watch out for him, he is married.' I am pretty sure he isn't married but I do think that he has a long-term girlfriend.
I also got a friend in the industry to check - he said he thinks he does but as usual had to ask in a roundabout way so I can't say for certain. Also, this is the contact who said he knew if we ever had sex it would be brilliant but as we are both with people it won't be possible. Well, eer, glad he let me know then. lol
I could scream as he is fascinating and I adore spending time with him.
Perhaps I just don't want to trust? My best friend asked me if I was ready to realise my worth and trust someone. I think I am but baby steps. I will choose to trust him but if it doesn't work out then it was a choice and I chose to be brave not scared.
Love and Light
L xx
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